Mig 43: testing an open cult (13.8 m) sport cruiser – From the archives

After the success of the first two articles on youngtimers, the


Continental 50 S


and the

Rizzardi 55 Incredible,

we return with another sea trial now almost unobtainable except in our archives: the
MIG 43
. This 13.8-meter open combines performance, looks and comfort in a hull that is nothing short of excellent. If you are looking for a used one that has style, here is what it looks like and how it behaved in the water at its birth.

Mig 43

Almost catching up with what the name already evoked, the Mig 43 is a sporty open with an aggressive look, yet capable of combining performance features with the comforts of a more comfortable cruising boat. You can see it at a glance, looking at its well-pulled exterior lines, its interior of striking elegance and its cockpit full of fittings for outdoor living in comfort. It is therefore a boat for everyone, which can seduce both those looking for fun on a pure, high-performance open – flying at 36 knots – and those who appreciate the tranquility of vacation cruising in well-used environments, both on deck and below deck.

Mig 43 – Exteriors

The Mig 43 presents essential lines capable of giving the boat a sporty look without penalizing the elegance of its forms. Very harmonious is the design of the wraparound windshield, which extends to the stern, marrying perfectly with the soft features of the deck fittings. The stanchion that slopes down as it approaches the apex of the bow aesthetically accentuates the boat’s aggressive spirit, but the sporty nature is also encapsulated in unseen details, such as the Don Arrow-designed hull, which ensures performance, stability and safety.

The soft lines that characterize the square draw a semicircular sofa on the left with a table in the center; in front, a half-moon cabinet hides a stainless steel sink, cooktop and refrigerator. On the same side, in a more forward position, the pilot can maneuver the boat in absolute comfort, sheltered from the wind by the functional and aesthetically pleasing windshield, whose elongated shape almost to the stern edges elegantly accompanies the boat’s sleek profile. The view from the command post is good in every direction, and the console can accommodate full instrumentation.

There are two areas dedicated to pure relaxation: the stern sundeck and the bow sundeck. The former comfortably accommodates up to four people and conceals the tender compartment; the bow compartment includes molded padding to provide comfortable headrests. From the cockpit, then, through the corridor beside the aft sundeck, one easily reaches the swim platform, the size of which makes it easy to maneuver to embark and disembark the tender. The compartment designated for the anchor chain, located in the bow triangle, is divided into two compartments to also accommodate fenders.

Mig 43 – Interior

The entire below-deck area provides wood and light-colored fabrics, making each room understated and refined. II saloon, located amidships between the two cabins, has good height and is well organized: to the left is a softly shaped dinette. Behind it some compartments are useful for stowing items.

On the starboard side, on the other hand, we find the kitchen cabinet, with a marble-like countertop, a sink, an 80-liter refrigerator, and an electric stove, at which there is a porthole that allows adequate ventilation. Some features, such as the Venetian blinds, are appreciable, making the stay on board more pleasant. The two cabins, both double, are complete with numerous drawers and compartments, as well as settees placed on the bulwarks, which contribute to the comfort of guests.

Mig 43 – Hull and Performance

Constructed mainly of fiberglass, the entire hull of the Mig 43, however, features additional combinations with Kevlar inserts, a solution aimed at strengthening its load-bearing structures while keeping its overall weight limited. In terms of propulsion, the shipyard offered by default a pair of Volvo Penta 370 horsepower each coupled to stern drives. An option, however, that could, upon request, be modified to employ different engines, both higher and lower. In fact, in the case of the boat under test, the motorization consisted of a pair of engines of 350 horsepower each, less powerful than the standard, but still capable of emphasizing the boat’s excellent performance.

With five people on board and a decent long wave, with no wind, the boat did in fact and still reached a top speed of as much as 36 knots, with a glide time of less than 4 seconds on speeds of 18 knots. However, the impact on the wave, which was long and therefore theoretically slightly hindering, was smooth, and the deck stayed dry even during the tightest turns. In terms of safety and grip, the hull also performed best, emphasizing a safe and easy to handle hull, qualifying Mig 43 not only as a complete and enjoyable boat, but also suitable for the less experienced.

Test conducted in long wave conditions, 5 knots of wind and with embarked 500 liters of fuel, 300 liters of fresh water, 5 people and a 350 hp twin engine

Technical Specs

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